Seven internationally known educators were asked to assess lifelong learning especially in relation to lifelong education and (1) revision of educational thinking and (2) educational practice. The authors addressed several key questions on lifelong education: For and by whom? Of and for what? How can it be achieved? The editor's overview and discussion of basic issues and questions, and his working definition open the topic. P. Lengrand then looks at prospects and advocates that each person should try to implement basic principles at work. B. Suchodolski, noting Comenius' book "Panpaedia" and Dostoevsky's "Grand Inquisitor," protests the concept of education as a power of men over men--"It is worth living in order to learn!" Similarly, E. Gelpi sees withholding of education as an obstacle to sociocultural development. K. Richmond advocates a broad definition (education for all), while A. K. Stock stresses the need to seek out and serve the forgotten worldwide, or those excluded from access to learning. A. Pfluger discusses a unit-credit system, urging openness and continuity in adult education as prerequisites for lifelong learning. The book ends with a summary of theoretical and practical considerations based on the contributors' face-to-face discussions and analysis of the papers. (CP)